The Difference a Pick Makes
Guitarists know that every piece of their equipment is of vital importance in creating their signature sound. While electric guitarists spend years finding just the right amplification and electronics that come together most pleasingly, acoustic artists spend more time experimenting with different tonewoods, fretboards, and often string combinations and bridge height. An interesting fact that many acoustic guitarists are well aware of is the different sounds that can be produced depending upon the material, size, and thickness of the pick used to create them. The pick is, apart from fingerpicking of course, the material that comes between a guitarist’s fingers and the strings, and its influence and importance should not be underestimated.
There are many different materials that have been used over the centuries in the manufacturing of guitar picks. Some of the earliest and most coveted picks were made from tortoise shells. Theses picks were known for their stiffness even when paper thin. Tortoise shell picks were also known to have lasted for many years, as long as the guitarist kept track of them of course! These picks are no longer made due to the international ban on their manufacturing in the 1970s, so guitarists will have to be satisfied with the non-organic imitators, and there are plenty to choose from. Celluloid is still used in pick making. It is also famously used in pin pong balls and hair styling combs. Their production is slowing due to their flammable nature, but can still be found. Many players enjoy the bright sounds produced by metal picks. The attack can be very aggressive and brassy; metal picks are often made of aluminum or copper and are found at most guitar shops. Japanese players are privy to the distinct sounds made from stone picks that are popularly produced in their country. These picks are quite expensive, going for nearly $20 a piece, but many players swear by their warmth of tone and durability. Most of today’s picks are made from a variety of plastics such as nylon. They, of course come in assorted colors, shapes, and sizes depending on the manufacturer. The thicker picks are usually most appealing to players that like to play at accelerated speeds because of the preciseness of their attack. A thinner pick does not have a high tensile strength, bending when coming into contact with the string and is unable to rebound quickly enough for the next strike. Plastic picks can have a brighter or a duller sound as well depending upon their thickness.
It is always good to try different picks made from different materials as part of efforts to find the desired sound. Most local guitar shops like Austin’s Strait Music Company have open containers of picks to try so get out there and put those picks to strings!
About the Author: Clint Strait is a third generation owner and assistant manager of the Strait Music, Austin Music Stores, providing the best selection of guitars and guitar accessories to Austin and the surrounding area for over forty years. For more information please visit www.straitmusic.com.
There are many different materials that have been used over the centuries in the manufacturing of guitar picks. Some of the earliest and most coveted picks were made from tortoise shells. Theses picks were known for their stiffness even when paper thin. Tortoise shell picks were also known to have lasted for many years, as long as the guitarist kept track of them of course! These picks are no longer made due to the international ban on their manufacturing in the 1970s, so guitarists will have to be satisfied with the non-organic imitators, and there are plenty to choose from. Celluloid is still used in pick making. It is also famously used in pin pong balls and hair styling combs. Their production is slowing due to their flammable nature, but can still be found. Many players enjoy the bright sounds produced by metal picks. The attack can be very aggressive and brassy; metal picks are often made of aluminum or copper and are found at most guitar shops. Japanese players are privy to the distinct sounds made from stone picks that are popularly produced in their country. These picks are quite expensive, going for nearly $20 a piece, but many players swear by their warmth of tone and durability. Most of today’s picks are made from a variety of plastics such as nylon. They, of course come in assorted colors, shapes, and sizes depending on the manufacturer. The thicker picks are usually most appealing to players that like to play at accelerated speeds because of the preciseness of their attack. A thinner pick does not have a high tensile strength, bending when coming into contact with the string and is unable to rebound quickly enough for the next strike. Plastic picks can have a brighter or a duller sound as well depending upon their thickness.
It is always good to try different picks made from different materials as part of efforts to find the desired sound. Most local guitar shops like Austin’s Strait Music Company have open containers of picks to try so get out there and put those picks to strings!
About the Author: Clint Strait is a third generation owner and assistant manager of the Strait Music, Austin Music Stores, providing the best selection of guitars and guitar accessories to Austin and the surrounding area for over forty years. For more information please visit www.straitmusic.com.
Labels: austin music stores, Austin TX guitar Stores, electric guitars austin tx
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